Tired?
Exhausted? Probably, you might be suffering from a chronic illness. Serious
medical issues can make you feel tired. Generalised weakness is one of the most
common complaints experience by many people. Let us discuss about 10 medical
conditions that can cause fatigue.
Anaemia
One of the
most common health issues for feeling constantly weak is anaemia, especially
iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). According to surveys, IDA affects one in every
20 men and post-climacteric women. However, it is more common in young females
who have profuse menstruation. In this condition, you often feel drained out,
your muscles lose strength and you feel like doing nothing.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This
syndrome is caused by a group of diseases related to brain, muscles and other
organs of the body. It is a severe debilitating syndrome usually associated
with symptoms such as muscle or joint pain, headache and sore throat.
Diabetes
Generalised
weakness is one of the symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Too much of sugar in your
blood can make you feel tired. Diabetes causes cellular damage, because of
which you lose strength in your muscles. Controlling your blood sugar level is
essential to get rid of weakness.
Coeliac Disease
Your body
reacts adversely when you eat a substance called gluten that is present in
bread, cakes and cereals, causing coeliac disease. According to studies, in the
UK, one in 10 people suffer from coeliac disease and 90% of them are not aware
of their condition. Apart from fatigue, this disease causes weight loss,
anaemia and diarrhoea.
Thyroid Abnormality
When a
hormone called thyroxine is less in your body, you suffer from an underactive
thyroid. This can make you feel exhausted even at rest and you may experience
muscle pain and put on weight. It is quite common in women.
Anxiety
Acute
anxiety is normal, but constant anxiety can make your life miserable.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a type of anxiety that affects one in 20
people in the UK. Repeated attacks of anxiousness can make you feel irritated
and worried, causing fatigue.
Depression
Depression
and constant sadness can make you feel weak. It can affect your sleep; you may
sleep constantly or do not sleep at all. Depression makes you wake up early,
which keeps you tired throughout the day.
Sleeping Disorders
Excessive
sleep or lack of sleep can make your body feel tired. Hence, doctors advise
people to get good amount of sleep i.e. eight hours daily to stay rejuvenated.
Another common cause of weakness is sleep apnoea.
Glandular Fever
A common
viral infection like glandular fever can cause fatigue. Teenagers and younger
adults are more prone to glandular fever. Along with weakness, they experience
sore throat and swollen gland. However, the fatigue may persist even after the
fever subsides.
Restless Legs
Restless
leg syndrome is when you have uncomfortable sensations in your lower
extremities. Because of this problem, you find difficulty in sleeping. Sleep
deprivation is a complication of this syndrome, which makes you feel tired
during the daytime.
So if you
feel tired for longer duration, consult your GP right away. Maybe, you need medicines to treat the underlying
medical cause(s).
